Illuminating signal



July 9, 192.9. P, 'P -HQRNl 1,719,977

' ILLUMINATING SIGNAL Filed April 5, 192e 2 Sheets-sheet 1 f w la;

Juiy 9, 1929. P, P, HORN, 1,719,977l

ILLUMINATING SIGNAL Filed April 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

KN; 65% y WATTRMEYS PATENT OFFICE. j

.'PAU PQ HORNI, 0F NEWARK, NEW'JERSEY.

IIL'UMINATING SIGNAL.

application med Aprn 5, 192e. serial incassi l This invention relates to an improved signal for use on roads and highways to serve as a traflc signal in so far as it calls attention to road conditions or conformations beyoud the signal and also illuminates the road so that the driver is aware, by the band of light, that conditions requiring careful driving confront him.

The signal is designed to provide one in which a single light is all that is necessary to illuminate the sign and the road so that the maintenance cost is low. The device is preferably made so that attention is called to it by a caution signal, usually a colored lens, when the driver of the car is some distance away, and the particular conditions to be met can also be madel out on the signal as the driver approaches the signal and if it happens that he has not been attracted by the sign and also in heavy or foggy weather, he is warned by the beam'of light concentrated downward on the roadway so that he then knows that he must use care.,

The invention is also designed to provide a signal which can be used to call attention, through the lens used in conjunction with the light, to its location and to direct the rays from the light downward to indicate an object such as a fire alarm box or any particular object to be pointed out.

The device is also adaptedfor use in conjunction with markers or signs on which it is mounted', not only acting as a beacon but also illuminating direction signs or road condition insignia used in conjunction therewith.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure ll is a view of a road showing a signal of the improved type in position above it.

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the signal shown inrFigure l.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section of the corner of the casing of the signal taken on line 4 4 in Figure 2. Y

Figure 5 is a general View to show the use of a signal where one road enters another.

Figure 6 is a view showing the insignia on different faces of the lamp used in the situation illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 7 lis a side view of a modilied form of signal showing the manner in which it is connected to a cross wire so that it canbe suspended over the center of the road or street.

. which in some cases Figure 8 is a side View of a signal mounted on a pedestal and adapted to be placed in the center of cross roads and in similar positions, the base carrying the direction insignia.

Figure 9 is atop view.

Figure 10 is a side view of a modified form of a combined pedestal and signal, being of the smaller type usually used where one road ends in another, and

Figure 11 is a detail section taken on line 11-11 in Figure 8.

The device comprises a casing for a lamp to be suspended above a road and the casing illustrated in Figures l to 5 comprises a housing 10 and a casing' 11 beneath it, these being Vsuspended above the road in any suitable manner, the drawings showing the bracket 12 by means of which the device is suspendedy from a pole 13.

The bracket 12 also is utilized in most cases for housing the wire that supplies current to the electric light. The housing 10 has caution signals usually inthe forni of lenses 14 would be only in one face and in others in more than one face, according to the conditions of the road. The lenses are usually colored, amber or redbeing preferred as a cautionary color.

In the top of the housing is a socket l5 fastened to the insulator 16 which in turn is suspended from the dome 17 which has means for connecting it to the bracket 12. The socket receives the lamp 18 which suspends therefrom and is preferably situated so that it shines directly through the lenses 14. The housing 10- has an open bottom as at 19.

Suspended below the housing is the casing l1, in the form shown the casing being secured by the screws 19a. The casing is open at the top and bottom. This openended casing is placed vertically underneath the housing and receives on its inner face light from the lamp l18 and also acts to direct the rays from the lamp downward on the road to form a band or circle of light of marked intensity.

I prefer to utilize the casinghlso for holding insignia to designate conditions beyond the lamp to an approaching driver. This insignia is usually placed on the casing by cut-V ting out of the sides 2O,l symbols or words to indicate the course of the road and in Figure 1 I show at 21 a cut-away portion to show that the road 22 undergoes a sharp curve to the left just over the hill beyond, and in addition, I may supply the word curve in cut-away form as at 23 and behind this cut-away pon 'at the signal 26 in Figure 6 which indicates that the road 'he is on ends at a cross road; one approaching from the direction of arrow b will see the designation at 27 which indicates that a side road can be expected at his left and one approaching from the direction of arrow c will observe on the face of the signal toward him, the insignia shown at 28 indicating that he is approaching 'a cross road on his right.

It will be evident that any of the standard symbols forforks, curves, steep grades and similar conditions can be used in this signal.

Due to its construction, the signal will be apparent toa driver when he is a considerable distance away where he can still see the signal considerably elevated above the roadway and this signal at night being illuminated by the lamp will also show to him the road insignia or designation. If he overlooks these or if they cannot be seen as inmist or storm, he willn be warned when passing through the band or circle of light shown at 29 which is directed and concentrated by the casing 11 and the driver thereupon knows that heis approaching road conditions that l require observation and care.

In thedaytime the signal is easily seen because even if the light is not lit the outside plates 20 that form the casing are usually in contrast to the translucent glass or other plate 24," the outside of the casing being usually black 4and the translucent glass being usually white.

It will be evident that modifications can be made in the form and proportion of the 4 parts without departing from the invention and that I may employ accessories such as the hoods 30/over theelenses for shielding the lenses and the casing from the elements.

In Figure 7 I show a modification in which the housing is shown at 3 1 and has the lens 32 in it which is of the lantern type open at the bottom so that the rays can be directed on the casing 33 which in the drawing indicates a cross road. The device can be suswire 35 stretched across'theroad.

pended over the center of the cross road by means of any form of clip 34 `suspended on In Figure 8 I showa housing at 36 which contains the lamp and is provided with lenses 37,- the housing being mounted on the feet A 38, these being usually pipes which can be arranged at each corner of the device and one o them used as a conduit for the Wire 39 which supplies current to the light. The housing 36 is open at the bottom and the casing 40 carrying the desired insignia 41, is illuminated directly by the light and also acts as a shield to direct the rays downward on the pedestal 43. This pedestal is made substantially pyramidal and the faces being inclined they receive the light directly on them and when painted white or a light color and provided with the direction signals and insignia 43, they form a ready means for both warning and direction and also act as turning points or guides around which trafiic must go.

For a low signal usually used at a point where one road ends at another, the pedestal' is made smaller and lower, such pedestal be'- ing shown at 44 in Figures 9 and 10 and it can be supplied with a supporting bracket 45 usually made of pipe and also used to conduct the wire which. supplies current to the light, the bracket 45 supporting the housing 46 and having the lenses 47 and being provided with a plate 48 to be provided with direction or condition insignia as'similar to the casings 11, 33 and 4.0.

The sides of the base 44 are inclined and thus in the fullf glare of the light directed downward by the casing 46, since the casing 46 is open ,at the bottom or when closed is closed by a transparent sheet. The base 44 in the drawing is indicated as provided with the insignia 49. The lenses such as those illustrated at 14, 37 and 47, are usually of the rib type to project the rays in the desired direction and a slight change in the position of the lens provides an extensive change of position trom which the rays from the lens are to be seen at their maximum brilliancy.

It will thus be evident that if the marker is placed on a grade and the rays are to be directed upwardly or downwardly from the horizontal, a slight change in the position of the lens will accomplish this. I have, there- Yore,7provideda holder 50 for the lens, the

holder having slots 51 at the side through which pass screws 52 into the housing. The screws provide for -fastening the lens frame in position and the slots 51 provide for the vertical adjustmentof t-he frame and consequently the lens which is carried by the frame.

It will be understood that the casing and the housing can be provided with signals and insignia according to the particular location, for instance, on cross roads all oun faceswould be so equipped, whereas on a straight road with curves or grades to be indicated, only one-or'two sides would be so equipped.

I claim 1. In a traic signal, the combination come prising a housing with an open bottom, an open bottomed casing extending downward from the housing and having caution and conlil dition insignia on the side thereof for permitting light to pass through, and a lamp in the housing t0 illuminate the insignia on the easing from the inside and to be directed 'downwardly on the ro-ad to form a spot of light under, the signal.

2. In a traiie signal, the combination comprising a housing having lenses in its faces and an open bottom, an open-ended casing suspended from the housing and having cutout parts in its faces to indicate road conditions ybeyond the signal, a translucent plate in rear of the cut-out parts,'and a lamp in the device for illuminating the lenses and the ou-out parts and the ground under the signa 3. A signal comprising a pedestal with tapered sides, a housing supported above the pedestal, the housing having an open bottom, and a li ht in the housing, the housing directing t e rays from the light on the tapered sides of the pedestal.

4. A signal comprising a pedestal with tapered sides, a housing supported above the pedestal, the housing having an open bottom, a light in the housing, the housing directing the rays from the light on the tapered side of the pedestal, a lens in the housing, and direction insignia on the tapered sides'of the l pedestal.

PAUL P. HORNI. 

